The fifth grade classes at the Barnstable Horace Mann Charter School traveled back in time this week, and they didn't even need a souped-up DeLorean to do it. A simple school bus worked nicely.

On Monday more than 400 students shuttled in shifts to the Osterville Historical Society where they were treated to a glimpse of what life was like well before they were born.

Through a program designed by Rob Kahelin, a long-time teacher from Osterville, students took 20-minute educational tours through the historical buildings that comprise the OHS campus.

"It's very exciting for the kids who get the opportunity to come through the museum and see the buildings on the complex," said Susan McGarry, the museum's executive director. "This program really lends itself to the fifth grade curriculum."

In the boathouse, volunteer Jim Eastman explained the history of the Catboat, including how they were built and used on Cape Cod. He concluded with a demonstration utilizing a pulley system so that the students could see first-hand a simple machine in action.

As they made their way through the Captain Jonathan Parker House with volunteer Jean Wild, the Criterion -- a hand-crank music box that plays special disks -- impressed the classes who noted the differences and similarities between it and today's CD players.

Finally, in the Cammett House, Mrs. Cammett herself showed the children her herb garden, explaining how various herbs were used not only as taste enhancement in foods, but also as medicines.

Volunteer Beverly Scudder Wallwork portrayed Mrs. Cammett, complete with long skirts, bonnet and cotton pinafore, bringing an air of authenticity to the day as she demonstrated proper carding of wool, presenting each student with a wisp of their own.

"The students are able to make that link of how the simple machine works for you when they see the pulleys and the spinning wheel," said McGarry. "They can feel and smell the wool and the herbs. It is unbelievably interactive."

What makes the program even more interesting is that the lesson continues after the students return to their regular classrooms. "We give the teachers a packet with follow-up lesson plans, a summary of lessons, and the framework connections," said McGarry. "They get a quick snapshot at the museum and when they are back in the classroom they talk about it."

Follow-up lessons for this group will include a study of Winslow Homer's "Sailing the Catboat" painting and learning to use nautical flags to write their names.

"It is really important to see how a program can take on a whole entity of its own, and become an integrated part of school," McGarry said. "It is so exciting."